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Aviation History
2002
2002 - 1187.PDF
EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT SHOW UPGRADES BRENDAN SOBIE / LAKELAND, FLORIDA Cirrus introduces SR20 variants Manufacturer's plans for avionics and other modifications are set to draw heavily on existing SR22 technology Cirrus has launched upgraded ver sions of its two-seat single piston- engined SR20. The developments, announced at last week's Experi mental Aircraft Association's Sun 'n' Fun fly-in in Lakeland, Florida, are based largely on systems incorpo rated in the larger SR22, particularly "Our ability to trickle down tech nology from the SR22 into the SR20 - and into the SR22 from the tur bine world - will allow us to keep offering better value to our cus tomers," says Cirrus. The new Version 2.0 SR20 has no vacuum systems but instead uses an all-electric panel and features Cirrus expects to step up production rates with new SR20 versions Avidyne FlightMax multifunction displays, which are standard on the SR22. The avionics package will include Garmin International's GNS 430 global positioning system navigation and communication hardware, and the S-Tec System 20 autopilot. It will include a standard electrically powered directional gyro for heading information. The electrical system is a single-alterna tor, dual-battery, dual-bus fault- tolerant system, similar to the one on the SR22. Goodrich's Storm- scope weather avoidance and Sky- watch traffic systems are also avail able on this version. The SR20 Version 2.1 will feature the complete dual-alternator/dual- battery electrical system, in addi tion to Garmin's GNS 430 and 420 system, combined, and the S-Tec autopilot. This version is similar to the standard SR22 configuration. The Version 2.2 will be equipped with a pair of GNS 430s with the S-Tec 55X autopilot, including alti tude pre-select, and the Sandel SN3308 electronic horizontal situa tion indicator. Chief executive Alan Klapmeier says the new versions should help drive down production costs and bolster sales. The SR22 is twice as popular as the SR20, he says, and the lack of commonality with its larger stablemate means SR20 cus tomers are having to wait longer for delivery. Version 2.0's commonality with the SR22 should allow the company to increase production from eight to 10 aircraft a week. "By this summer, we'll be at 10 a week. Then we'll work towards three a day," says Klapmeier. Meanwhile, European Joint Aviation Authorities certification for the SR20 continues to be delayed over what Klapmeier calls "a disagreement over what it is nec essary for the aircraft to do" (Flight International, 9-15 April). SALES Makers to boost production Manufacturers of new general aviation aircraft are "increasing pro duction rates to meet demand, while builders of older aircraft are planning upgrades for their types in an attempt to boost flagging sales. Diamond Aircraft is increasing North American production of its four-seat DA40 in response to "good market conditions". The manu facturer's plant in Windsor, Ontario, will produce 90 aircraft this year, and reach full production in October, although the final rate has not been released. "We're trying to get that number higher because the demand has just been phenomenal," says vice-president of sales and marketing John Gauch. EADS Socata has also increased production to 125 aircraft a year after an increase in US sales since January. Vice-president of sales and marketing Michel Adam de Villiers says US sales will account for around one-third of all deliveries this year. Manufacturers of older types, however, are feeling the pinch as the newcomers eat into their market share. Cessna plans to build 600 aircraft this year, a slight reduction from 2001. The manufacturer introduced some new options at the Sun 'n' Fun show, including air conditioning and the Bendix King KMH 880 Multi-Hazard Awareness System for the 182T Skylane. New Piper has also reduced production and will only manufacture 331 aircraft this year, compared with over 400 last year. Raytheon Aircraft has slashed production by a third this year to 275 aircraft, but King Air programme manager Scott Tychsen says sales are starting to pick up again. He says Raytheon is also now studying several avionics and engine upgrades for its foundation products, including the Baron, Bonanza and King Air. CERTIFICATION Liberty aims for XL-2 September approval Liberty Aerospace expects to achieve US Federal Aviation Administration certification of its new Continental IOF 240- powered XL-2 all-composite two-seater in September. Deli veries of the XL-2, which made its debut at the Experimental Aircraft Association's Sun 'n' Fun show, should follow next year, says vice-president of sales and marketing Ivan Shaw. The digitally controlled 93kW (125hp) IOF 240 replaces the Rotax 912S, which was ini tially selected by Liberty for the XL-2 light aircraft, which is based on the Europa kitplane. Liberty has sold 70 aircraft and Shaw expects sales to jump after the first demonstration aircraft starts flying at the end of this month. "We're just now starting to market the aircraft," Shaw says. The firm recently completed design re finements, which include an enlarged fuel tank (Flight Inter national, 1-7 January). Meanwhile, Adam Aircraft is aiming for an accelerated seven- month FAA certification process for its CarbonAero A500 light aircraft. The first production version is due to fly in June. Adam is building four pro duction aircraft to speed up the certification process and plans to build 25 aircraft in 2003 and 50 in 2004. "We're confident we can meet these dates," chief executive Rick Adam says. "We should essentially have a fully assembled aircraft in the next few weeks. We don't want to be caught with taking multiple years to deliver aircraft to cus tomers," he adds. www.flightinternational.com FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 16-22 APRIL 2002 23
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